Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-05-20
M0NT TO VIRGINIA.
,ONORS PAID TO THE MEMORY OF
SEDGWlCK AT SPOTTSYLVANlA.
Gov. Ormsbee, Ex-Gov. Pingree, Gen
Greenieaf, Gen. Peck, Gen. Seaver
and Other yermonters at the I'm
yelling of the Monument.

and Mai G. II. Forbes left Vermont to
attend the unwilling of the Sedgwick
monument. erected on the spot where the
noble hero fell at Spottsylvania Court
House. The party arrived in New York
Tuesday morning, where they were cour
teously entertained by Mr.. Charles II.
Bliss, formerly of Brandon but now of
New York, who escorted them to Gen.
Grants tomb and other points of interest
in the city.
Tuesday evening the party arrived at
The Hotel Lafayette in Philadelphia, the
Headquarters of the Sedgwick Memorial
association, where they were joined by the
representatives, of the troops comprising
the old sixth corps from the States of
Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts.
Connecticut New York, New Jersey, Del
aware and some of the Western States
The party lett Philadelphia Wednesday
morning at 1:20 in a special train of eight
cars. AT Washington the party was join
ed by Gen. II. q. Wright, Gen. G. w.
Gould, and Capt. f. X Campbell Proceed
ing with their journey the party reached
Fredericksburg about 2 p. m. and were
escorted from the depot by a band of
music and the Fredericksburg Grays to
their headquarters at the Exchange hotel,
by the mayor of the city, who was an
Swered by Gen. Latta. But the talk was
short and after dinner the eXcursionists
drove to the heights in the rear of Fred
ericksburg which were so long occupied
by the confederate troops during the war
Amoug other points of interest visited
in the afternoon were Marye'S Heights
and the terrible stone wall skirting its
base, in front of which so many troops
We're slaughtered in the Burnside cam
paign, the Bernard place out on the eX
IRENE right of the confederate lines and
various points on the road to Chancellors-
Vile Neither did they forget to do hon.
age to the many heroes who fell in the
stubbornly contested battles fought on
these historic fields by visiting the ma
tional cemetery, which contains some H.
900 dead, $1,000 of whom are unknown.
The place where the old Vermont ,brig-
ade made their celebrated charge in
Rockers campaign of 1868, capturing the
confederate artillery, was not overlooked
and many were the "reminiscences which
were recalled by the familiar scenes
In the evening the party held campfire
in the court house which was presided
over by comrade w. J. Wray of Philadel-
phia Who performed his duties in a mas
terly manner. Among the speakers were
Gov. Ormsbee whose patriotic remarks
were listened to with close attention and
at the close were heartily cheered. Col.
Andrew Cowan of Louisville, Kentucky,
followed. He was the gallant commander
of the 1st New York Independent light
battery, whose field of duty was always
with the old 9th corps and whose efiici-
ency was uneXcelled in the whole army.
The colonel spoke with great feeling and
emotion, and his remarks about the fight
ing qualities Of the old Vermont brigade.
their splendid marching, and sOdlerly
discipline, and readiness for all kinds OF
service were cheered to the echo. Words
fail to express the enthusiasm of the vete-
rams of the old corps rs whenever men
ton was made of the Vermont brigade
and every Nermonter present could but
feel that the record of this gallant com
mand and its proud achievements still
held its place in the hearts of the noble
veterans of the 9th corps, even though
the history was made over % years ago.
When Col. Cowan spoke of the charge
of the Nermonters at Lees mills where
they were SO bravely led by that gallant
soldier, Col. S. f. Pingree, the cheering
was long and loud.
Gen. Latta of Pennsylvania followed
and he too could not say enough of the
proves of the Vermont troops.
The Rev. DR.. Smith of Fredericksburg
welcomed the Union veterans in behalf of
the eX-confederates and his remarks were
listened to with close attention, especially
as he spoke of the qualities of the leading
officers, and more especially "Stonewall'
jackson, upon whose staff he served and
was present when the general was wound
ed, and also at his death. Dr. Smiths re
marks were full of good feeling for the
future of the soldiers of both armies
Other speakers followed, among whom
We're Comrade Knights of Maine and the
exercises were enllvened by the singing
of old and well remembered war songs by
COmrade Kay of Philadelphia. Elk Gov.
Pngree was called for but it was found
h, bod l.Et ha hnn | att 80;
their absence were read from the COVER
nors of Pennsylvania, Virginia and other
States. Adjt. Gen. Stryker represented
the governor of New Jersey, and made a
stirring speech about the achievements vi
the New Jersey troops.
About II o'clock Thursday the veterans
reached the battlefield, where they were
met and warmly welcomed by large
number of Nirginians, including many
eX-contederates who had gathered there
to greet them and to witness the ceremo
MES.
Gen. II. G. Wright, as presiding officer
called the asSemblage to order at the mon
ument and prayer was offered by the Rev
j. y. Rittner, late Brevet Captain of the
49th Pennsylvania volunteers. Gen
Wright delivered the opening address
and letter OF regret was read from Presi
dent Cleveland.
Letters were then read from the Cover
nors of Connecticut, Virginia, Maryland
Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New
York and Massachusetts, and the mayo
of Philadelphia, as well AS from Gems
Sheridan, Sherman and Keifer and Lieut.
John q. Fisher, of the 14th New Jerse'
volunteers, who witnessed Sedgwick'
fall.
The memorial tablet was then unveiled
by Gen. Wright, local department com
mander Of the corps, assisted by six oil
GERS of Gen. Getty's division The monu
ment is OF Quincy granite, approximate
pyramidal in FORM nine feet in heigh
and five feet five inches square at the bas
and surmounted by a cross. During tn
unwilling the whole assemblage sang i'm
presslvely in unison "Our. Country, IT'S o
Thee" Gen. j. w. Latta of Pennsylva
mia, the orator Of the day, then delivere,
his address, which was listened to will
profound attention and was frequently in
terrupted by applause
The address of eX-Gov. Pingree which
followed was listened to with close atten
ton and he was repeatedly cheered TO
the patriotic sentiments expressed, leav
ing an impression upon its audience o
the veterans of both sides which will
no Nl,n oh n1,Nr,